化粧・仮粧|けしょうkeshou[2]nakadaka (mid-high)

JLPT N3approx.Common
けわいkewaiけそうkesouok
Which spelling to use
化粧化粧 is the most common written form for make-up, cosmetics, or decoration, and it is written entirely in kanji.
仮粧仮粧 is a rarely used kanji variant; you will seldom encounter it, so beginners should not choose it when writing.
Definitions
  1. noun, suru verb, transitive verb, intransitive verbmake-up; makeup; cosmetics
    こってり化粧けしょうした顔かおは異様いようである。↗
    A face with too much make up looks strange.
  2. noun, suru verb, transitive verb, intransitive verbdecoration; dressing; veneer
Conjugation
Dictionary form化粧する(けしょうする)
Polite (masu)化粧します(けしょうします)
Negative (nai)化粧しない(けしょうしない)
polite (masen)化粧しません(けしょうしません)
classical zu / nu化粧せず・化粧せぬ(けしょうせず・けしょうせぬ)
Past (ta)化粧した(けしょうした)
polite (mashita)化粧しました(けしょうしました)
Past negative (nakatta)化粧しなかった(けしょうしなかった)
polite (masen deshita)化粧しませんでした(けしょうしませんでした)
Te form化粧して(けしょうして)
Potential化粧できる(けしょうできる)
Passive化粧される(けしょうされる)
Causative化粧させる(けしょうさせる)
Causative passive化粧させられる(けしょうさせられる)
Conditional (ba)化粧すれば(けしょうすれば)
tara化粧したら(けしょうしたら)
Volitional化粧しよう(けしょうしよう)
polite (mashou)化粧しましょう(けしょうしましょう)
Imperative化粧しろ(けしょうしろ)

Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.

Synonyms & antonyms
  • Related粉飾ふんしょくWrittenWritten/formal: glossing over or whitewashing, esp. accounts, as in 「粉飾決算」. 化粧 is mainly makeup but can also figuratively mean dressing up one's appearance.
  • Related装飾そうしょくNeutralDecorating buildings or objects with ornaments, as in 「室内装飾」. 化粧 is mainly about facial makeup.
  • Related飾りかざりNeutralA noun for decorations or ornaments, as in 「クリスマスの飾り」. 化粧 is makeup.
  • Related飾るかざるNeutralA verb: to decorate or display, as in 「花を飾る」; the object is usually things or places. 化粧 is mainly facial makeup, but can also mean dressing up one's appearance.
  • Related美化びかNeutralBeautifying surroundings, or making facts sound better than they are, as in 「過去を美化する」. 化粧 is makeup.
  • RelatedデコレーションNeutralA loanword for decoration or embellishment, often for cakes, nails and the like. 化粧 is makeup.
  • Related修飾しゅうしょくNeutralMostly a grammar term for modifiers, though it can also mean decoration. 化粧 is makeup.

Use 「化粧」 for facial makeup. For decorating things or rooms, 「飾る」 and 「装飾」 fit; cakes etc. take 「デコレーション」; cooking the books is 「粉飾」; making things sound better than they are is 「美化」.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

Japanese definitions
  1. 白粉おしろい・紅くれないなどを塗ぬって顔かおを美うつくしく見みせるようにすること。
  2. 外見がいけんを美うつくしく飾かざること。
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also

JLPT vocabulary levels are community estimates, not official (no official lists have been published since the 2010 revision).

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